Commentary on Rev Russ Menk’s retirement from UUFSCC June 7, 2023 I love being a minister. I love being your minister. I am leaving an all-encompassing endeavor that I love—and have loved for the last 10 years. I am leaving for none of the “typical” reasons. I am not moving, I am not taking a … Continue reading Why stop after 10 years?
I believe we’ll be adjusting to the post-pandemic world for years to come. Even though the pandemic isn’t “over” we do have the opportunity to cautiously plan out our gatherings and Sunday worship services. This is challenging with the unknowns of the future and the lingering fears of the last few years. Nothing is the … Continue reading Sunday Services to Come (9/11/22 and beyond)
The 1970 Movie “The Out of Towners” is a Neil Simon screwball comedy about a couple’s misadventures about going to NYC for an important interview. But nothing on this trip goes according to plan. George (played by Jack Lemmon) is thrown off his neatly planned, orderly life into chaos—testing his resilience to life’s events. We … Continue reading How I Spent My Summer Vacation—One week in July 2022
Action & Reflection April 6, 2022 “Activity and reflection should ideally complement and support each other. Action by itself is blind, reflection by itself impotent. Before investing great amounts of energy in a goal, it pays to raise the fundamental questions: Is this something I really want to do? Is it something I enjoy doing? … Continue reading Action & Reflection
I’m on an email distribution for a newsletter/posting called “Braver/Wiser.” Today’s posting (3/9/22) resonates nicely with our Monthly Theme of “Living without Anger/Hate” so much so that I want to share it with you. There’s no denying that our country is divided along political/ideological lines, but what is a UU to do? Here is the … Continue reading Braver/Wiser: Courage & Compassion for Life as it Is
“When you are distressed by an external thing, it’s not the thing itself that troubles you, but only your judgment of it. And you can wipe this out at a moment’s notice.” —MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.4 I read a lot about Stoicism on sabbatical—as you may have noticed in my sermons and writings. I am … Continue reading Acceptance isn’t Passivity
You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. ―Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor from 161 to 180CE) I’m returning from sabbatical this week. It has been an amazing five months (thank you so much, UUFSCC!!). I used some of my sabbatical to ponder deeply what it means … Continue reading What the Ancients can Teach Us
Another unarmed black man killed by police. Another school shooting. Another complication of the vaccine rollout. Another high-powered man accused of sexual predatory behavior. Another bombing in the Middle East. Another example of voter restriction. Another twisting of a lie to look like truth. Another extreme natural disaster. It’s hard to get through the week … Continue reading The Burden of Caring
Some of us yearn for a less anxious life, but we can’t seem to sustain enough calmness to be content. t seems that even when we are less anxious, that isn’t enough. We want to be free from anxiety. So we meditate, we exercise, we watch calming videos, we listen to calming music, and we … Continue reading The Anxiety Cup
